There ‘s no
denying the fact, that the particular needs that motivate our behavior depend
on which needs are unmet and, among those, which are the most fundamental.
Abraham Maslow (1970) proposed one possible hierarchy of needs, at the
base of which are our psychological needs, such as for food, water, and shelter.
Only if these needs are met are people prompted to meet their need for safety,
and then to meet the uniquely human needs to give and receive love, and to
enjoy self-esteem. Beyond this, says Maslow, lie the highest order needs: to
actualize one’s full potential and achieve a spiritual perspective that
transcends ordinary experience.

Maslow ‘s
specific hierarchy is somewhat arbitrary. Moreover, the order of such needs is
not universally fixed (people have, for example, starved themselves to make a
political statement). Nevertheless, the simple idea that some motives are more
compelling than others – until they are satisfied – is appealing.

Lexical Exercises

1.
Look at the following
words and circle the five that are the most difficult for you. Then in groups
of four share your list and help one another understand the meaning of those
words. Try to explain their meanings in English.

behavior

cognitive

concept

deprivation

drive

external

hierarchy

incentive

instinct

internal

motivation

need

perspective

potential

push

tissue

Give Russian
equivalents of the words given above.

Find in the text
the sentences in which these words are used and translate them in Russian.